“We should have played a full ODI series in New Zealand and had some more games in Australia before the World Cup”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Legendary Pakistan pace bowler Wasim Akram believes that the national team haven’t adequately prepared for the World Cup.

Akram is also worried that Pakistan will not have enough time to get accustomed to the conditions in Australia and New Zealand prior to the start of the tournament, which gets underway on February 14.

“When you look at India and how they are still struggling despite being in Australia for the past two months and having played a lot of matches, it does raises concerns whether Pakistan have enough time to go well prepared into the World Cup,” Akram said. “It takes time to adjust to the pitches and conditions in both countries and I have toured those nations many times in the past. I just think a few warm up games and two ODIs against New Zealand is not the proper preparation for such a mega event.

“We should have played a full ODI series in New Zealand and had some more games in Australia before the World Cup.”

Akram was also shocked to see Pakistan lose to New Zealand by seven wickets in the first ODI in Wellington.

“[The] New Zealand team has been in great form [as of] late and I was expecting them to win, but not expecting them to beat us so comfortably. It became a one-sided clash,” he said. “One could see today the batsmen are still [adjusting] to the seam conditions in New Zealand and our bowling is not hitting top gear.”